MISSION: Southwest Research and Information Center is a multi-cultural organization working to promote the health of people and communities, protect natural resources, ensure citizen participation, and secure environmental and social justice now and for future generations

On September 29, 2016, DOE and its co-permittee, Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC, submitted a class 3 Permit Modification Request –Above Ground Storage. If approved, the modification would allow an open air storage pad that would increase the amount of contact-handled waste that can be stored on the surface by more than 500 percent from 434. 1 cubic meters to 2,270.1 cubic meters. SRIC and many other groups strongly oppose the request and urge people to comment by February 3, 2017.

On June 3, 2016, DOE and its co-permittee, Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC, submitted a class 2 Permit Modification Request –Active Room Ventilation Flow Rate and Contingency Plan changes. The change to ventilation allows DOE to decide to continue operations in a waste room even if the ventilation flow rate was less than the 35,000 cubic feet per minute permit requirement.

On September 8, 2015, DOE and its co-permittee, Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC, submitted a package of seven topics as class 2 Permit Modification Requests - Revise Volatile Organic Compound Monitoring Procedures. Some of the changes are similar to those proposed in the March 18, 2013 request (see #3) and would reduce worker and public health protection. The request also would result in eliminating some of the ventilation requirements, while also not discussing the proposed new supplemental ventilation system.

On April 8, 2013, DOE and its co-permittee, Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC, submitted a class 2 Permit Modification Request  Modify Excluded Waste Prohibition  to eliminate the requirement in the WIPP permit for a public hearing before any waste that has ever been managed as high-level could be allowed. This change would significantly reduce health and safety protections at WIPP and the public involvement requirements. Comment period ended June 10, 2013.

On March 18, 2013, DOE and its co-permittee, Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC, submitted a package of three class 3 Permit Modification Requests - Modify WIPP Panel Closure Design, Repository Reconfiguration of Panels 9 and 10, and Revise the Volatile Organic Compound underground monitoring system. These changes would significantly change the underground operations that have been established over the past 14 years. SRIC's comments suggest numerous changes and request negotiations before NMED issues a draft permit and holds public hearings.

On December 12, 2012, DOE and its co-permittee, Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC, submitted a class 2 Permit Modification Request - Revise Waste Analysis Plan Waste Characterization Methods so that it can eliminate the chemical sampling and analyis requirements of the WIPP permit Waste Analysis Plan (WAP). This would reduce health and safety protections at WIPP. Let NMED know that you are concerned, see SRIC Fact Sheet about Sampling for details. Comment period ended February 18, 2013.